How to Grow Turnips: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Spring: direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost (UNH). UMN: seed 1–2 inches apart in rows 18–30 inches, thin to 3–6 inches; about 1 inch of water a week. Fall plantings use regional calendars (UMN Aug 1 in MN; Clemson Aug–Sep in SC) — not a sourced first-frost week count. About 50 days to harvest in many planning tables.

Turnips at a glance

PlantDirect sow: 4–2 wk before last frost
WaterAbout 1 inch of water per week; drought can make roots bitter or woody (UMN).
SpacingUMN: seed 1–2 inches apart in rows 18–30 inches; thin to 3–6 inches.
Days to harvest50 (CSU)
-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Not rutabaga. Turnips are Brassica rapa (Rapifera group); rutabaga is a different species — keep them on separate pages.

Turnip roots
Turnip roots. Photo: Barnabymiln, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (resized).

Planting timing

UNH: “Turnip — Plant seed in garden 2–4 weeks before last frost.” (UNH when to plant) Planner spring: Direct sow last frost −4 to −2. Fall: UMN lists about August 1 for Minnesota fall crops; Clemson gives coastal SC fall Aug 1–Sep 30 and Piedmont Aug 1–Sep 15 — regional calendars, not first-frost week counts. (UMN turnips; Clemson turnips)

Depth and spacing

UMN: seed 1–2 inches apart in rows 18–30 inches; thin to 3–6 inches. Clemson: rows 14–18 inches; depth ¼–½ inch; space 2–3 inches — present both with sources.

Sun, soil and water

Well-drained soil; rotate about 3–4 years off other Brassicas (UMN/Clemson). About 1 inch of water per week; drought can make roots bitter or woody (UMN). Prefer a soil test and compost; UMN notes pre-plant fertility for turnips and we omit printed synthetic rates.

Care

Mulch; cultivate carefully so you do not damage shallow roots (UMN).

Harvest

Many planning tables list about 50 days. Harvest before roots oversize and turn woody; greens are edible (UMN).

Pests and diseases

Flea beetles and root maggots; Alternaria, black rot, clubroot (UMN). Cultural: row cover on seedlings; radish trap crop; kaolin clay products as the label directs; clean seed; 4-year rotation away from cole crops (UMN flea beetles; UMN turnips page).

Related: ZIP planner · organic pest control · kohlrabi · all grow guides · rutabaga

Frequently asked questions

When do I sow turnips in spring?

Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost (UNH).

When do I sow for a fall crop?

Use regional calendars — UMN about August 1 in Minnesota; Clemson August–September windows in South Carolina — not a sourced first-frost week count.

Are turnips the same as rutabagas?

No. Different species. Keep separate plantings and pages.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources